Graham is an Australian and NSW representative, and rightly so. There is no team on the planet that wouldn't be better for his inclusion.
If he is "cramping" the left, that is an issue with the team, not with him. He didn't wreck the attack for Australia or NSW last year. Nor in 2016 when he and Maloney on the left were the most lethal one two punch in the game.
He is definitely out of sorts these first few rounds, but hopefully the injury enforced rest will help him.
Gallen never "gets in the way" with a spine that knows what it is doing. Again, if a team's structure is failing to produce points, it is not because of the abilities of one player. Gallen is an outstanding forward, one of the all time best, and that includes his attacking ability, not just his statistical "metre eating".
He has had a mixed start, and it does seem age is catching up with him, but he has also led the way in important times this year, such as our game against the Eels. He probably also needs some rest, and a focus on impact rather than minutes.
Hopefully our spine is now settled, and can get some cohesion, and we will not notice Gallen or Graham "cramping" the game at all when the spine is performing smoothly.
Our team is obviously weakened with Gallen, Graham, Lewis and Bakuya out, but it was heartening to see Paulo and Sorenson perform so well yesterday.
I would think our next 5 opponent's would be liking their chances against a severely depleted team. Any wins we can get while down our top 4 back rowers would be great. If we play with the heart and enterprise we showed against the Panthers, we will be in with a chance in all of those games.
